Five of seven GCC equity market indices under coverage ended 2024 on the rise, according to an in-depth report on GCC equity markets.  Dubai Financial Market (DFM) led its peers, wrapping up 2024 with an annual rise of 27%

While developing countries paid a record US$1.4 trillion to service debts, the non-oil sectors in the GCC countries are fueling growth and diversification,

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah called on the international community to implement "an immediate ceasefire, providing international protection for innocent civilians and ensuring the opening of safe corridors and the arrival of urgent humanitarian aid".

Now, the region is turning its attention to newer innovations, including hydrogen production, small modular reactors (SMRs), and compact nuclear power generators.

Experts from the United Nations have warned that Israel might become a pariah state, and its UN membership is under question as Tel Aviv continues to commit genocide in Gaza killing more than 40,000 people since October 7, 2023. Experts also reprimanded the Western countries for double standards on Netanyahu’s...

In an interview with TRENDS, CEO of ITCN Asia, Muhammad Umair Nizam highlights the expanding role of Pakistani IT firms in the GCC tech landscape.

With 93% of Saudi workers considering generative AI essential, alongside 95% in the Middle East and 79% globally, the region's prioritization of AI is evident.

Pakistan's IT sector is thriving, with growing exports and recognition as a tech hub, driven by government support, skilled talent, and strategic GCC collaborations.

New Delhi, UAE - The number of Indians living in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has crossed nine million, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, told Parliament yesterday. Indians are employed in a wide range of professions from highly qualified fintech, healthcare, information technology, engineering...

GCC tourism's GDP contribution will rise from $130 billion in 2023 to over $340 billion by 2030, driven by aviation growth and infrastructure investments.

Digitalization is revolutionizing GCC entrepreneurship, offering vast opportunities and challenges, and driving innovation and growth, Jigar Sagar, an influential figure in the GCC's entrepreneurial ecosystem., tells TRENDS in an exclusive interview.

Political and business leaders in the Arabian Gulf region push for sustainability agenda to secure clean environment for the future generations. Calls have been made to work through collaborative models of private and public partnerships to achieve green goals.

For the second consecutive year, the Middle East is the fastest-growing real-time payments market globally, according to the 2024 Prime Time for Real-Time report, published by ACI Worldwide, a global leader in mission-critical, real-time payments software, in partnership with GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. In the Middle East,...

Alberta's tourism sector, with attractions resonating with GCC travelers, aims for a $25 billion visitor economy by 2035, says Joseph Schow in an exclusive interview with TRENDS.

Digitalization is revolutionizing travel, and data analytics is hyper-personalizing the sector, notably in GCC's growing business tourism, says Pallav Singhvi of Almosafer in an interview with TRENDS.

GCC countries are prioritizing actions like near-shoring, international partnerships, and technology adoption to ensure supply chain adaptability and responsiveness, says a report by Oliver Wyman.

Business travelers worldwide are drawn to the GCC countries due to their rapidly growing economies, strategic geographic locations, and ambitious infrastructure development plans.

The region's luxury goods market was worth US$ 10.52 billion in 2023, with long-term growth expected, reaching US$ 13.70 billion by 2028.

A tech-savvy population sees cryptocurrencies a safe investment option as governments adopt progressive regulatory frameworks, offering innovation and investor protection.

Flooding hit many areas of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, and cut off major roads, snarling traffic and leaving cars stranded.

Gulf states are grappling with the widening Middle East conflict as hostilities between Iran and Israel threaten their security and ambitious plans to reshape their economies. Leaders of the resource-rich Gulf monarchies engaged in a rapid round of diplomacy after last weekend's Iranian drone and missile strikes on Israel raised...

In light of the military escalation and developments in the Middle East region, the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council held its 44th extraordinary meeting on April 15, 2024, at the headquarters of the Qatari Embassy in Tashkent

The UAE especially has become a regional hub for remote work, attracting digital nomads and businesses with its visa programs.

GCC equity markets experienced a March downturn, influenced by seasonal selling pressure during Ramadan, leading to a 3.0% drop in the MSCI GCC index with Qatar suffering the steepest decline at 6.0%.

Clean hydrogen could be bigger than the oil and gas economy for the region, says Jo Bamford, chairman of HYCAP, which invests in net zero and hydrogen economy.

GCC countries collaborate on comprehensive tourism strategy, leading global recovery post-pandemic with remarkable growth rates and ambitious plans for sustainable development.

The banking sector across the GCC has demonstrated formidable growth and profitability, with Qatar leading in several key performance indicators, say KPMG, Fitch reports.

For the first time in its 43-year history, the bloc has set a strategic vision that prioritizes diplomacy and dialogue over force to boost regional security and stability.

Saudi Arabia leads GCC efforts towards defense self-reliance by creating the first military industries committee, aiming to reduce foreign imports and enhance local capabilities.

Eti Bhasin, a trailblazing restaurateur in Dubai's thriving hospitality scene, navigates challenges with resilience and innovation at her popular eatery, Dhaba Lane.

Ankara, Turkey-- The Gulf Cooperation Council and Turkey have started off free trade negotiations to deepen their ties further. In this connection, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of GCC, and Dr. Omer Bolat, Minister of Trade of Turkey, signed a joint statement to initiate negotiations between the GCC and Turkey....

Brussels, Belgium-- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union have held talks in Brussels in order to enhance relations between the two blocs. In this connection, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), today held a discussion session with members of the European Union (EU)...

During Ramadan, GCC residents are using digital tools that are enhancing the observance of this sacred month, offering new ways to connect, learn, and shop.

International education is evolving in the Gulf region amid unique challenges and strengths, Rania Hussein, Deputy Head at the Swiss International School Dubai, tells TRENDS.

Dubai, UAE--Dubai welcomed 1.77 million international tourists in January 2024, an increase of 21% compared to 1.47 million visitors in the same period of 2023. According to the Dubai Tourism Performance Report for January issued by the Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, Western Europe ranked first in terms of...

GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi calls for visa-free travel to Europe, aiming to simplify the journey for Gulf citizens to the continent.

Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The launch of Gulf Cooperation Council's first UAE bond Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), which will list on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), was announced Thursday by Lunate Capital Limited, an Abu Dhabi-based investment management firm licensed by the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). The...

Doha, Qatar - The women returning to the workforce following a career break have the potential to contribute nearly US$385bn to the GDP across nine countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. says a PwC Middle East’s survey. 82% of these women believe that they can progress...

The region is in decarbonizing the built environment, with a focus on sustainable urban planning, energy-efficient buildings, and renewable energy integration.

Dubai, UAE - The UAE's online shopping market is gearing up for unprecedented growth, with revenue projections hitting $9 billion by the end of 2024 and an impressive $17 billion forecasted for 2025. The trajectory is emblematic of the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region's e-commerce landscape, poised...

Driven by resilience, legislation, and determination, the female populace is reshaping the socio-economic fabric of the Gulf countries, a TRENDS report suggests.

Gulf companies benefit from supportive credit environments, ensuring resilience in 2024 despite global economic challenges and geopolitical risks, says a report.

Doha, Qatar--Governor of Qatar Central Bank Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani has called for strengthening joint action among the Arab Gulf states, especially in light of the economic and financial challenges that the world is experiencing in relation with growth, sustainable development, financial stability, and interest rate policies,...

Abu Dhabi, UAE--Ireland wants to become a gateway for the UAE and other Gulf states to the European Union (EU) market, Simon Coveney, Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM). As evidence of thriving relations, he highlighted the growing Irish diaspora in Gulf Cooperation...

Abu Dhabi, UAE - The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) on Friday announced that its operating and maintenance subsidiary, Nawah Energy Company, has successfully started-up the reactor of Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant (Barakah Plant). The reactor has begun initial production of heat through nuclear fission, used...

Technology, from digital platforms to AI, offers a transformative avenue for empowering women, says Isabel Neiva of Kearney Middle East & Africa.

During his meeting with OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais, Albudaiwi praises the significant efforts of OPEC and its crucial role in maintaining the stability and balance of oil markets and addressing future challenges, in coordination with member states of the bloc.

The GCC is at a critical juncture, facing the dual challenge of embracing blockchain innovation while combating crypto crime, says Nicola Buonanno of Chainalysis.

Munich, Germany-- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Sweden have discussed ways to ramp up cooperation in several areas, besides looking to enhance ties between the GCC and variou European nations. In this regard, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC, and Tobias Billström, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the...

The Kingdom's openness to 100 percent foreign ownership for onshore firms and zero-tax policy make enhance its appeal as business incubation destination.